English_for_customs / English for customs / unit1 / 6
.docUNIT1
RUSSIAN CUSTOMS
TEXT 1.
RUSSIAN CUSTOMS
T
The Russian Customs Service, however, predates even the Mongol Yoke (1237-1480). Some three centuries before, in Kievan Rus, taxes were collected for the transportation of goods through the frontiers of its individual princedoms.
Thus, Russia has had a Customs Service in some form for the past 1000 years. Moreover, for almost all of that history, it has been much more than a force for keeping out contraband. In fact, it has been a powerful, highly politicized administrative organ, serving mainly protectionist leaders.
The first Russian Customs statute was handed down in 1667. It was strict towards foreigners, who were allowed to trade only in frontier towns on pain of confiscation. A special tsar's certificate was required for trading further inside the country.
Such protectionism held sway for most of the next 300 years. Every tsar, from Peter the Great to Nicolas II, approved laws limiting the import of foreign goods and defending Russian producers.